Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-06-11
FATE DID IT.
BY CHARLES WETHERILL.

BY CHARLES wETHERLL.
sEthel," said Mrs. Fleming, whatever
happens, you must dine at the Laramies' .
| You made q great impression on DR..
Laramie last week, and he's q catch, I can
tell you. Already he is making name in
his profession; and then he has fortune
of his own. His mother took fancy to
you also; and, really, I've quite congratu-
lated myself on doing SO much for you.
When poor sister died made up my mind
to take you and marry you we'll. OF course,
l have given up good deal OF time, and
spent much money, but you're grateful
girl, I know, and shall probably make a
| second marriage very soon, and naturally
want yen off my hands. Plain English,
but you don't mind"
@Im used to it, Aunt Myra," said Ethel,
as she was usually called, abut I'm not
sure DR.. Laramie is tremendously smitten
| as you think he is; and can't be married
as you would sell goose-'Like it? Have
it at the market price, or with reduction,
because want to sell out and 60 home
Oh! I'll 90 as governess first, auntie."
II forget how many thousand young
women want governess' places" said Mrs.
Eleming-"want them because they want
bread, and can't get them. It's better to
marry we'll"
sBut young women want husbands, too,
and can't get them, replied Ethel. "Quite
as many, perhaps"
aThere you are right, said Mrs. Flem-
ing; "but you have q husband in view.
Really, don't see how you did it. You
are very ordinary. Like your papa's peo-
pie. You ought to thank Fortune, and
take her gifts"
First the man must offer, then I must
love him." said Ethel. GAS yet, neither
thing has happened"
But in her heart she felt that she could
like DR.. Laramie very much indeed; and
he had seemed to like her, only it might
be his manner to all women.
"But about the dinner" said Mrs.
Fleming. "Amber silk, and your amber
pins in your hair. You have handsome
black hair and natural crimps; that's one
good point. Of course, amber earrings
and black lace, and some Marechal Mel
roses. I'd have made my fortune as a
modiste. I can always see q costume
ready made before it is even begun. II
shop for you, and you must put on gloves.
with creme du rose on them, at once, an6
sleep in them; your hands get SO fright
fully rough. White hands are the greatest
boon. The Colonel thinks mine perfection;
but I'm 80 particular, I'm not satisfied with
the wrists. What are you laughing at me
for when I'm just doing my very best for
your"
"For joy, auntie, said Ethel. aTm so
glad to be married off, you know. But,
really, can't make myself helpless for
three days and nights for the sake of white
hands. If 60 to bed in creased gloves ]
sha' mt sleep, and if I do nothing all day
shall lose nv mind"
@Then you can wear mits which you need
not remove at table" said the aunt. at il
the style, but don't like it."
With this compromise the aunt vanished,
and revelled in shopping for the rest of the
day. Then solid hard work began. A
costume such az Ethel wore is not simply
@sent home from the modiste's." To be
sure, q celebrated French cutter did the
fitting, but the complete thing was done at
home. A fine seamstress and the eye of an
artist in gowns MRS. Fleming had not said
q word too much about herself) was neces.
sary to produce that elegant effect. Ant
Ethel stood two hours, not quite impa.
tiently, to be "draped.s
The modiste Grapes on q sfgure" OF
hops, or utilizes the girl nearest the size:
and draping can only be artistic if done
upon the figure of the person to wear the
costume.
cit did not cost much, after al, !" said the
delighted aunt; "but Worth never die
better"
And Ethel was dressing in her room, and
was all ready save for the roses, when an
awful sound was heard through the house,
evidently some one tumbling down stairs
Into the hall all rushed. 1t was cook,
who had gone up to her room in tapping
pair Of loose old shoes, and had slipped
on the polished stairs. Her ankle was
sprained; and, when laid upon lounge,
she uttered awful means and siohs. unit.
Ethel, striving with bottle of Eminent,
assuaged the anguish.
~Ethel. cried her aunt, you'll spoil your
clothes and your nails"
But Ethel never needed. She ministered
to cook, who gradually grew black and blue
oil over, until at last that happened which
Aunt Fleming had prophesied.
Over went the bottle, and down the side
breadth of the amber silk poured Q greasy
food Of most unpleasant odor.
4 toId you sol It Is done forl What
will you dor" cried Aunt Fleming. sHow
you lookl and, oh, how You smell! Icould
haste black lace over it in what-do-you.
oall-'ems; but the SMELL And your hair is
all crooked
sOh, 60 on applyin' Of it. It don't hurt
when you apply it, moaned cook. with the
utter selfshness Of . suffering person.
.Put more on. There's deary. dol"
Ethel put smors on" both on her patient
and her gown.
Mrs.. Fleming began TO cry.
sDon't do that, said Ethel, warningly.
sThs Colonel won't praise your eyes IL you
do; and 60 to the dinner and say anything !
you like in the way Of excuse for me. lido
smell dreadfully Of liniment Perhaps the
truth would b best: no one could sat near